Collision Course?

Even before the playoffs began experts and fans alike assumed the NBA playoffs would be a formality resulting in a Cavaliers VS. Lakers Finals. I too fell into that projective mindset, selecting the Caviliers to defeat The Lakers for their first ever championship. The road to this outcome was paved with a Celtics Cavs Eastern Conference Finals, and the Lakers coming out of the West unscathed. However, with L.A. and Boston now each facing elimination in Game 7 situations anything could happen. Also, the Denver Nuggets are playing as well as any team in the postseason and represent a threat to the Lakers that no one previously foresaw. Perhaps the collision course is still a reality, but things certainly have become interesting.

Just as the year before, the Boston Celtics find themselves in their second Game 7 within the first two rounds of the postseason. Last year the team had a valid excuse of their first trip to the playoffs with The Big Three; along with the fact that they won a league best 66 games, facing no real adversity all season. This season what is the excuse? No Garnett? No Leon Powe?No James Posey or PJ Brown? Whatever the reason may be, come Sunday there will be yet another Game 7 in Boston. If the Celtics wanted to have a fighting chance against Lebron James and company they desperately needed some rest. By winning Game 6, the injury plagued and fatigued Boston Celtics would have finally had a chance to recuperate. Instead they now face another Game 7 on their home floor; against a younger and more talented Orlando Magic squad. Boston has played 14 games in the last 28 days and already at less than full strength, fatigue becomes a concern. Not only have they played 14 games in the last month, but there were seven periods of Overtime against Chicago in the Quarter Finals. With Lebron laying in wait having only played eight games this postseason, Boston's future past this Series looks grim.

 

In Garnett's absence Kendrick Perkins has become the defensive anchor of the team. Despite an increasingly aggravated shoulder, Perkins has held his own against Dwight Howard and played excellent interior defense. However, if this shoulder injury becomes an interference the Celtics will finally be too thin on the defensive end and be eliminated. Perkins is the last line of defense and will need to keep Dwight Howard in check (as he has done most of the series) if the Eastern Conference Finals will include the defending champs. Already short one Hall of Famer (in Kevin Garnett) and key role player Leon Powe, the Celitcs have the odds stacked against them. To close out this series the Celtics will need to play Championship level defense with Perkins at the core, and will need heightened intensity from Ray Allen. Allen, the hero of the first series against Chicago has been a non factor against the Magic. In defeat, Allen made zero of seven three point shots and only scored five points. 

 

Orlando may be younger, and more talented, (with KG sidelined) but the Celtics still have the advantage in mental toughens and heart. Orlando has no assassin in the fourth quarter who will make the clutch shot under playoff duress. This series has seen the Celtics lock down Orlando in the fourth Quarter several times as this was best seen in Game 5; with the C's coming back from ten points down to pull out their second consecutive win. This very defensive intensity won a championship a year ago, and if the Celtics want to return to the Conference Finals they'll need to call upon their defensive prowess. The Lakers and Cavaliers are still thought to be on a collision course to the NBA Finals, but let's see if the Celtics can alter that course. Expect another win at home for the Boston Celtics and another trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.